Feeding device.



0. SHARP.

FEEDING DEVICE, APPLICATION FEEDING-5,1914.

Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Swmznloz O. SHARP 0. SHARP.

FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED AUG.5. L9H.

Patented. July 13, 1915.

2 SHE E TSSHEET 2.

EN FT,

OSCAR SHARP, 0F GBAYVILLE, ILLINOIS.

FEEDING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed. August 5, 1914. Serial No. 855,167.

to be employed in connection with fodder;

and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this generalcharacter whereby the fodder is automatically maintained at the upperportion of the trough or manger and is held in such a way as to preventthe stock from throwing such fodder promiscuously about.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved feedingdevice whereby certain important advantages are attained and the deviceis rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in-theappended claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceeed to describe the samewith reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is'a view in side elevation of a feedingmachine, with parts broken away, constructed in accordance with anembodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device asillustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view takentransversely through an end of the device as herein disclosed; Fig. 4 isa longitudinal vertical section taken through an end of the device atsubstantially the transverse-center thereof; Fig. 5 is a view inelevation, detached, of the plate herein disclosed as included in thelocking means for the grate member; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view inelevation of one of the strapmembers herein set forth; and Fig. 7 is afragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of aportion of the grate member herein set forth.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 11 denote spacedsubstantially vertical members having their longitudinal marglnsprovided with the inwardly directed flanges 22, to which are suitablysecured the end marginal portions of the side walls 33 of the trough ormanger proper, it being observed that the members 11 constitute the endwalls of such trough or manger and also constitute asupporting means forthe device.

The lower longitudinal margins of the sidewalls 33 are provided with theinwardly directed flanges 4 which serve to limit the downward movementof the bottom 5 of the trough or manger, the movement thereof in theopposite or upward di I 77 adapted to interlock with the flanges 2-2 andbe fixedly connected therewith through the medium of the locking members8, the lower portions of such plates 6 being provided with theextensions 9 depending between the side members 3 and terminating apredetermined distance below the upper longitudinal edges thereof.

The bottom 5 has its opposite extremities projecting beyond the plates 6and to each of such projected extremities, as indicated at 10, issecured the lower extremity of a retractible member 11, herein set forthas a coil spring, the opposite. extremity of such member being suitablyconnected, as at 12, to a cross pin 11 suitably directed through theadjacent member 1 and plate 6, such position being preferably atsubstantially the transverse center ofsuch member 1 and plate 6 andadjacent their upper extremities. As is believed to be self-evident, theretractable members 11 serve to maintain the bottom 5 normally at thelimit of its upward movement.

Hingedly secured tothe outer face of one of the side'members 3 and inclose proximity to the upper longitudinal edge thereof is the gratemember 15 which is adapted to extend across or bridge'the space betweenthe side members 3 and is maintained in operative position through themedium of suitable locking means coacting with the opposite side plate3. As herein disclosed, the grate member 15 comprises the longitudinallydisposed side bars 16 adapted to overlap the side members 3 when inapplied position, such side bars being connected by the spacedtransverse strips 17, preferably formed of strap metal and having theirextremities flexed downwardly to overlie the side bars 16, as indicatedat 18, an intermediate strip 17 having an extremity suitably flexed toafford a locking eye 19 adapted to be projected, when the grate 15 is inapplied position, between the locking eyes 20 afforded along the uppermarginal portion of a plate 21 suitably secured to the side wall 3opposite to the wall to which the grate member is hingedly connected. Asuitable locking pin is adapted to be projected through the eyes 18 and20 when alined, whereby it will be seen that the grate member 15 will beeffectively held in operative position.

At substantially its center, the bottom 5 has suitable secured theretoan extremity of a flexible member 22 which is directed downwardlytherefrom and passed around a guide pulley 23 operatively supported bythe transverse strap member 24 connected to the inwardly directedflanges 4 of the side walls and is then extended longitudinally of thedevice and around a second guide pulley 23 operatively supported by asecond strap 25 and positioned in close proximity to an end member 1.The flexible member 22 is then directed upwardly and fixed to a shaft 26operatively. supported in the side walls 3 and having one extremityprojected, such projected extremity, as indicated at 27, being squaredin cross section, whereby it may be properly engaged by an operatingmember 28 whereby it will be readily perceived that upon requisiterotation of the shaft 26, the bottom 5 will be moved to its lowermostposition whereupon the grate member 15 will be thrown out of operativeposition so that the fodder, such. as hay, may be readily depositedwithin the trough or manger. The grate member 15 will then be turned andlocked into operative position and it will be readily perceived that theaction of the retractable members 11. upon the bottom 5 will clamp thefodder between such bottom 5 and grate member 15 whereby such fodderwill be held in such a manner as to reduce to a minimum the possibility:of the stock throwing the fodder promiscuously about; and it will alsobe observed that as the fodder is consumed, the action of theretractable members 11 upon the bottom 5 will maintain the fodder at theupper portion of the trough or manger whereby the stock are relieved ofthe necessity of reaching down therein and also assures substantiallyall of the fodder being consumed.

While the manger or trough is being filled, it is advantageous that thebottom 5 be locked against the action of the retractable members 11:and, as herein disclosed, I accomplish this through the meshaft will bemaintained against rotation and whereby it will be readily perceivedthat the flexible member 22 will thus serve to hold the bottom 5 againstupward movement under the influence of the members 11.

V-Vhile the guide pulleys 23 and 23 may be operatively mounted in theirrespective straps 24 and 25 as desired, 1 find it of advantage to havethe intermediate portions of such straps disposed, as indicated at 31,to afford a pocket substantially U-shaped in cross section, thesupporting shaft 32 for each of such pulleys being journaled in thesubstantially parallel side walls of the pocket.

In order that the bottom 5 may maintain a substantially horizontalposition, irrespective of its vertical adjustment, 1 find it ofadvantage to provide the corners of such bottom .5 with the upwardlydisposed guide posts adapted to contact with the inner faces of theadjacent members 1, as is bclieved to be clearly disclosed in theaccompanying drawings.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that afeeding device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of myinvention is of .an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensivenatune and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of theconvenience and facility with which itperforms its functions, and itwill also be obvious that my invention is susceptible :ofsome change andmodification without material departure from the principles and spiritthereof and for this reason I ,do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several .partshereinshown in carrying .out :my invention in practice.

I claim:

.1. A vdevice of the character described comprising end members, .sidewalls secured to said end members, plates secured to the upperextremities of the end members and disposed in spaced relation thereto,the lower extremities of the plates projecting below the :upper edges ofthe side walls tb aft'ordstop members, a movable bottom positionedbetween-the side walls and the end members and projecting beyond theplates carried by the end ,members, a grate member bridging the spacebetween the side walls, and means for automatically imparting movementto the bottom in a direction toward :the grate.

2. A :device of the character described comprising end members, sidewalls secured to said end members, plates secured to the upperextremities of the end members and disposed in spaced relation thereto,the lower extremities of the plates projecting below the upper edges ofthe side walls to afford stop members, a movable bottom positionedbetween the side walls and the end members and projecting beyond theplates carried by the end members, a grate member bridging the spacebetween the side walls, and means for automatically imparting movementto the bottom in a direction toward the grate, said means being disposedwithin the spaces between the end members and the plates carriedthereby.

3. A device of the character described comprising end members, sidewalls secured to said end members, plates secured to the upperextremities of the end members and disposed in spaced relation thereto,the lower extremities of the plates projecting below the upper edges ofthe side walls to afford stop members, a movable bottom positionedbetween the side walls and the end members and projecting beyond theplates carried by the end members, a grate member bridging the spacebetween the side walls, means for automatically imparting movement tothe bottom in a direction toward the grate, and guide posts projectingupwardly from the bottom and extending within the spaces between the endmembers and the plates and in contact with the end members.

4:. A device of the character described comprising end members, sidewalls secured to said end members, a movable bottom positioned betweenthe side walls and end members, a grate member bridging the spacebetween the side walls, a shaft rotatably supported by the side wallsadjacent an end member, straps operatively supported by the side wallsbelow the movable bottom, guide pulleys rotatably supported by thestraps, automatic means for imparting movement to the bottom toward thegrate member, and a flexible member secured to the bottom directedaround the guide pulleys and operatively engaged with the shaft wherebyrotation of the shaft in one direction serves to impart movement to thebottom away from the grate member.

5. A device of the character described comprising a trough having abottom capable of vertical movement, a grate disposed across the top ofthe trough, means for automatically imparting movement to the bottom ina direction toward the grate, means operable for imparting movement tothe bottom in the opposite'direction, and inwardly disposed flangescarried by the trough at a predetermined distance below the movablebottom for limiting the movement of the bottom away from the grate.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

OSCAR SHARP.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

